Denver Broncos players that should take advantage of new jersey rule
The NFL’s archaic rule of limiting specific position groups to only certain jersey number choices is being done away with. The league approved new jersey number parameters for different position groups, which should lead to a large number of, well, number changes in the coming weeks and months. The Denver Broncos may have some familiar names getting new equipment in the 2021 offseason.
At the college level, players are already allowed to wear pretty much whatever numbers they want. There are still some limits to jersey number selection for players but wide receivers are no longer limited to jersey numbers in the teens or 80s. There could be wide receivers running around out there in number 33 like Odell Beckahm Jr. once wore at LSU.
There could be tight ends wearing the number 1, defensive backs wearing 17, running backs wearing 5.
Which players does this new rule impact for the Denver Broncos? It could impact some pretty prominent guys, including the team’s top two draft picks from a year ago…
https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1384941733067251716
Frankly, KJ Hamler switching back to his college number 1 should be an absolute no-brainer. Jerry Jeudy would have to figure out a way to get number four from Brett Rypien, but that move also makes plenty of sense.
What other players should consider jersey number changes?
Newcomers to the secondary Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller will have to select numbers soon, and both players wore no. 23 last season for their respective teams. Michael Ojemudia currently owns that number for the Denver Broncos and what incentive would he have to give it up? Money talks, but Ojemudia’s college number 11 (which he’s now eligible to wear) is taken by return specialist Diontae Spencer.
Darby wore number 3 in college at Florida State, but that number currently belongs to starting quarterback Drew Lock. That’s not happening.
Although it was already legal for him to wear it, Darby should consider donning 21, one of the cleanest numbers for a defensive back there is. Fuller could try to buy 23 from Ojemudia, but it would also be fun to see him in 24, Champ Bailey’s old number.
Fuller could also go back to his college number at Virginia Tech, number 17, depending on what happens with DaeSean Hamilton.
Perhaps the number change we all need the most is Bradley Chubb moving off of the number 55 and changing to his college number 9. The rules for jersey numbers among pass rushers have been so limited and the new freedom for them to wear pretty much any number not in the 60s, 70s, or 80s is tremendous.
This will be a fun rule to watch the impact all around the league. It will be great to finally see skill players on offense able to wear single digits or tight ends wearing numbers in the teens like receivers, as well as defensive backs and linebackers having the freedom to do the same.